Time Clock
Suprema
Synergy 5 Reader
5" touchscreen terminal with card/fob reader for cost-effective time & attendance
Card/FobPIN Code
Ideal for:Small to medium businesses, Retail locations, Offices with existing card systems
Time & Attendance
Card Clocking: Simple, Reliable, Flexible
Card clocking remains a practical choice where biometrics aren’t suitable or appropriate. Cards are familiar, easy to issue, and work seamlessly alongside other systems, giving organisations a straightforward way to capture attendance without changing how people already work.
The reality today
Not every environment suits biometrics. Young children can't reliably use fingerprint readers. Some employees have privacy concerns about biometric data. Certain jurisdictions restrict biometric T&A by law. And if you've already invested in access control cards, why issue separate credentials for clocking? You need a flexible system that works with what you have.
The Solution
Card clocking from Synel uses the same credentials people already carry. Attendance is recorded with a simple tap, data feeds into the same platform as access control and other systems, and organisations can deploy cards where biometrics aren’t practical without fragmenting their time and attendance data.
Simple and Proven
Tap and go—no training required. Card clocking is the most widely understood attendance method.
One Card Does Everything
Same credential for T&A, door access, cashless catering, and print release. One card, all systems.
Works Alongside Biometrics
Deploy cards in some areas, biometrics in others. All data feeds into the same dashboard.
No Privacy Concerns
No biometric data stored means no GDPR worries about sensitive personal information.
Key Features
Everything you need, built in.
How It Works
How Time & Attendance Works
From clocking in to payroll-ready data in a few simple steps.
1
Issue Card
Employee receives card or fob encoded with unique ID.
2
Tap Reader
Card tapped on Synergy terminal to clock in or out.
3
Record Event
Reader captures card ID and timestamp instantly.
4
Sync Data
Data syncs to TimeLOGWeb via TCP/IP in real-time.
5
View Reports
Managers view attendance across all sites from central dashboard.
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UK Installation & Support
Card Clocking Systems Hardware
UK-installed and supported by Synel engineers
Time Clock
Suprema
Synergy 5 Dual
5" touchscreen terminal with both fingerprint and facial recognition for maximum security
Facial RecognitionFingerprintCard/FobPIN Code
Ideal for:High-security facilities, Data centres, Pharmaceutical manufacturing
Time Clock
Suprema
Synergy 10 Reader
10" touchscreen terminal with card/fob reader for cost-effective time & attendance
Card/FobPIN Code
Ideal for:Large organisations, Retail locations, Offices with existing card systems
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About Card Clocking Systems
Card clocking remains the most widely deployed time and attendance method—proven, reliable, and suitable for any environment. Synel's card readers support Mifare, Proximity, HID, and HID iClass technologies, giving you flexibility to work with existing credentials or deploy new ones. The same cards can control door access, pay for meals, and release print jobs.
How It Works
Employees tap their card or fob on a Synergy terminal to clock in or out. The reader captures the unique card ID, records the timestamp, and syncs data to TimeLOGWeb via TCP/IP. Managers see attendance in real-time across all sites. Cards can be standard ISO format or key fobs—whatever suits your workforce.
Mix and Match with Biometrics
Synel devices share the same network and software platform, so you can deploy card readers in some areas and biometrics in others. Office staff might use fingerprint, factory floor uses facial recognition, and visitors get temporary cards—all feeding into the same TimeLOGWeb dashboard. You can also combine methods on a single device for multi-factor authentication.
One Card, Multiple Uses
The same card that clocks employees in can also open doors via Access Control, pay for lunch through Cashless Catering, and release documents at printers. One credential across all systems means fewer cards to manage, lower costs, and a simpler experience for employees.
When to Choose Cards
Card clocking is ideal when biometrics aren't practical or preferred. Primary schools often choose cards for young children. Some organisations prefer cards to avoid GDPR concerns around biometric data. In certain countries, biometrics for T&A are restricted by law—France, for example—making cards the standard. Cards also work well for visitor management, issuing temporary badges that track location and enable sign-out.
Supported Technologies
Synel readers support all major card technologies: Mifare (13.56MHz), Proximity (125KHz), HID, and HID iClass. If you have existing access control credentials, chances are they'll work with Synergy terminals. We also supply blank cards, fobs, card printers, lanyards, and holders—plus a numbering service for individually serialised credentials.
Mobile and Virtual Options
For remote or flexible workers, the Synergy App and Virtual Clocking extend card-based workflows to mobile devices. GPS geofencing ensures employees are on-site when they clock in. The app works alongside physical terminals, giving you a complete picture of your workforce wherever they are.
Card Printing Service
Synel offers a full card printing service if you'd rather not manage production in-house. We supply pre-printed cards with your branding, individual numbering, and any required access credentials encoded. Or we can supply printers and blank cards for you to produce on-site.
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Time & Attendance FAQs
Common questions about time & attendance answered.
What is time and attendance software?
Time and attendance software automates the tracking of employee working hours, breaks and absences. It replaces manual timesheets with digital clock-in methods such as biometrics, cards or mobile apps.
The system provides accurate data for payroll processing and workforce management, eliminating manual calculations and reducing errors.
How does biometric time tracking work?
Biometric time tracking uses unique physical characteristics such as fingerprints or facial features to identify employees when they clock in or out.
The system captures a template of the biometric data during enrolment, then matches it each time the employee clocks. This eliminates buddy punching and ensures accurate attendance records.
Do clocking terminals work if the internet goes down?
Yes. Synel's data capture devices feature offline mode. If network connectivity is lost, terminals continue to verify users and store clocking data locally using their built-in memory.
Once connection is restored, data automatically uploads to the central server. No records are lost.
Devices also include battery backup to maintain operation during power outages, typically for up to two hours.
Is biometric data GDPR compliant?
Yes, when implemented correctly. Biometric data is classified as special category data under GDPR, requiring explicit consent and a lawful basis for processing.
Synel systems use encrypted templates rather than storing actual fingerprint images or photographs. These templates cannot be reverse-engineered to create an image.
Clear retention policies ensure data is deleted when employees leave, and the system supports the right to erasure.
What payroll systems does Synel integrate with?
Synel integrates with major UK payroll and HR systems including Sage, SAP, Oracle, Iris, Cascade, Pegasus and ADP.
Our open architecture allows integration with virtually any system that can accept data imports or has an API. The system exports approved hours directly to these platforms, reducing administrative time and eliminating manual data entry.
How long does implementation take?
Implementation timelines vary by project scope.
A single-site time and attendance deployment typically takes 2-4 weeks from survey to go-live. Multi-site or integrated access control projects may take 6-12 weeks.
Synel provides dedicated project management and on-site installation by our own engineers, not subcontractors.
See card clocking in action
Book a demo to see how Synel can streamline your operations and deliver measurable ROI.
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